PRESIDENT PARTICIPATES IN TEN THOUSAND STEPS OF HEALTHY WALKS

Jakarta, Nov 2 (ANTARA)- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Sunday morning opened a ten-thousand steps of healthy walks in effort to prevent osteoporosis problem bubbed as "Indonesia steps forward together" and the president then took part in the event.
The "Indonesia steps forward together" program started from the National monument (Monas) square heading to Hotel Indonesia roundabout through Thamrin street and then returned to Monas square.
The first Lady Ani Yudhoyono, vice president's wife Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, Health Affairs Minister Siti Fadilah Supari and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo also took part in the event.
Part of the healthy walk participants who were eager to have a close look at the president, surrounded the head of state while shaking hands with him and taking pictures.
About 10 thousand people including civil servans, students and members of mass organisations took part in the event in a bid to commemorate the National Osteoporosis day.
On the occasion, Yudhohyono and other guests wore light blue T-shirts without hats, while other participants used green T-shirts.
In the meantime, Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari among other things disclosed that osteoporosis is a disease called as "silent epidemic disese" because it attacks human bone silently and leads to fragility resulting from disturbances of nutrition.
Siti Fadilah said further that a raise in life expectency in Indonesia also caused an increase of osteoporosis problem in the country, in addition to the Indonesians' low calcium consumption which is only about 254 mg per day or one fourth of that of the international standard amounting 1000-1200 mg per day per adult.
The ten-thousand steps forward of healthy walks will also be carried out by other societies in Banjarmasin, capital of South Kalimantan province, West Java's towns of Tasikmalaya, Cirebon and Sukabumi, Denpasar in Bali including Lombok Island. ***4***